So, remember when I asked your advice about which shoes I should get for our upcoming pilot episode shoot? Well, I narrowed it down to two pairs, and they both arrived on our doorstep about a week ago.
I got these Simple shoes to work/shop in:
And these Rocket Dogs for “reveal day”:
I absolutely positively love the Simple shoes. They were comfortable from the get-go, and they match literally everything I wear.
And although I find them incredibly adorable- the Rocket Dogs are really giving the widest part of my feet fits. I’m talkin’ holy yowza Batman.
(PS- That pic totally just made me think about the “Right here. Not so much here…or here so much…but right here.” scene in Tommy Boy.)
Anywho- I’ve only worn them one time, but it was to the grocery store so that counts for like four times, right? It was a gnarly experience, and I’ve still got the blisters to prove it- ugh.
That being said, they’re super comfortable everywhere else, and I really, really like the way they look (that’s rare thing for me)- so now I’m wondering if you might have any advice about how to stretch ’em out a little. ?
I’ve been trying to think of things, but the only thing I’ve come up with is to get one of those old school shoe stretcher things and see if that works, or cut off the little decorative band that goes across the top because it’s the bulky stitching holding it in place that’s digging into the sides of my feet inside of the shoes. (Aren’t you so glad you swung by our blog today?) (PS- I’m so not cutting that cute little decorative band off. Hmmm…but maybe I could cut out the stitches, and use some kind of hardcore fabric glue to hold it in place….hmmmm…..I am crafter, hear me roar!) (Kidding.) (Kind of.)
In other pilot episode related news, we’re stoked to announce that the room we’ll be re-doing is located in a house about 30 minutes outside Atlanta, so if you’re in this area between September 13th and 17th…
…and you’re up for joining in on a little room redo fun, our production company is searching for the following volunteers to help us git r’ dun:
– Wall painters
– Wallpaper removers
– Seamstress/upholsterer
– Florist/Plant person
– Printing shop
– Electrician (must be licensed and bonded)
– Wallpaper hanger
– Professional painter
So if you can paint like a pro, remove wallpaper like a champ, are a heck of a seamstress, can reupholster furniture like nobody’s business, own or work at a print shop, or have a connection at a local flower shop or greenhouse- contact Whitney at whodack (at) highnoontv (dot) com.
If you have experience hanging wallpaper, or you are (or you know) a licensed and bonded electrician, a professional painter, or have mad carpentry skills- contact Jason at JasonKByrd (at) gmail (dot) com.
(PS- I say “volunteers” because we’re shooting a pilot and our budget is of the shoestring variety! Also, we want to say thanks in advance if you have the time to come out and help us!!!)
This is a sneak peek of the room we’ll be working on…
We’re excited about the challenge, and the opportunity to work/play with some of you Georgia-based peeps!
PS- Rumor has it there may be a fun flea market excursion taking place while we’re shooting too. We’ll publish a post about that as soon as we have more information about the when’s and where’s. If you’d like to come out and play that day, we’d love to shop ’til we drop with ya!
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hello haha narf
there is a shoe repair place near my house that has fixed that exact problem for me several times…for under five bucks! totally recommend goggling shoe repair in your area.
Valerie
A professional shoe repair place can also soften the area of the shoe that is giving you trouble, without stretching them. I had a pair of sandals that hurt my feet in one spot, but fit great otherwise, and I brought them in to be stretched, and he said noooo, do not stretch them. He worked his magic with softening that one spot. If they fit everywhere else, maybe that’s an option?
Love the shoes, and can’t wait to see the room after you’re done with it!
Cha Cha
Ummm, I think I might be emailing…..since I will be there to bring the you know what I might as well stay and work. As far as shoes go…I have wet and worn shoes like that before with socks to stretch them. Clearly I wore them at home, ha.
Cha Cha
Vikki Simone
I’ve had great success very quickly with this method of shoe softening/stretching. Dab the inside of the problem area of the shoes with a liberal amount of rubbing alcohol. Put on some thick socks and the shoes. Heat the outside with a hairdryer (keep it moving so you don’t cook your feet or the shoes). Repeat if necessary. In 10 minutes or less you’ll have comfy shoes.
Brianne
Try Dr. Scholls for her Rub Relief Strips. I am on my feet all day in heels and this works wonders! It’s like a little tape dispenser so you can customize the length and width of the cushioning strip and just peel off the backing and stick it in your shoe where your foot is rubbing. I keep it in my purse now; it’s that invaluable!
Brianne
Oh, and I got it at Target!
Joy
Is it 30 minutes north, south , east or west of Atlanta? Is it a secret?
Mary
A ziploc filled with water, stuffed into show and then put in the freezer works great. Also if you have shoes that are leather if you will take a cotton ball and wipe rubbing alcohol on the places that need stretching this helps just stretch those particular places instead of all over.
The shoes are adorable I hope this will help so you can show those cuties off with comfort!
bee blessed
mary
Outfit31
I have the same problemo with some of the shoes I buy. Finally, I went to a shoe repair shop in the mall and bought a shoe stretcher ($20). Or, if you’re not comfortable with that they can actually stretch them for you! I bought the stretcher, because it would eventually pay for itself.
Fairfield House
Layla,
I say get another pair of shoes — but purchase them at a store where you can try them on.
Looking forward to watching you transform another room from ordinary to extraordinary!
Wish I were closer to join in on the fun.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Layla
Too late! They’ve already been in and out of the freezer with bags of water in them! 😀
TOTALLY did the trick…those suckers feel MUCH better now!
Wish you were closer too! 🙁 I’ll keep you posted through pics! 🙂
Kaytie @ GardenKitchenHome
My tip for stretching shoes out is to wear them with a pair of socks (or two) around the house. Don’t do it for long, or your toes can feel a little strained, but the extra fabric makes a huuuuge difference!
Good luck!
Tina
Girl, both pairs of shoes are sooooo cute, BUT…. You have got to send that one pair that hurts your feat back… Either get a wider size or go with a different style.. Not sure what you spent, but is it really worth having to alter or stretch them? Let us know what you decide..
Wish, Wish, Wish, I was gonna be in Georgia to help.. But stuck down in the panhandle of Florida. Holler if you come my way.. I will be there with bells on… Have Fun!
Calico Child
Gorgeous looking shoes so sorry one of the pairs hurt, best way newspaper wet shove in side leave over night should help to stretch works for me depends on fabric of course. Hope its a success?
Kate Lewis
Well, I am on the ATL map, but have none of the skills you mentioned. But, I’m your GA peer for moral support! Have a great time! And, cute shoes, btw. Really diggin’ the Simple ones.
Layla
Thank you Kate! We sure do appreciate the support and we’d love to see you out at the flea market excursion! All you need is shopping skills for that one! 😀
jodyl
Hi Layla, the best shoe stretching advise i got was to rub the inside of the shoe with vaseline as it softens the shoe and also makes your foot nice and soft as well, hope this helps. cheers Jody l
Layla
Thank you! I actually ended up going with the ol’ frozen bag of water in the freezer trick, and it seems to have done the job! Pretty amazing! I will definitely keep the Vaseline trick in mind though! 🙂
jennibell
My stepmom chimed in here and said that when she was training for a marathon years ago she rubbed Vaseline all over her feet and avoided blisters all together! So. . .while you’re waiting for the shoes to stretch out you could do this to your feet. . .maybe some will rub off on the shoes then? Glad to hear the freezer trick worked for you 🙂
Suzanne
If you spritz the inside of your shoes with fabric softener and water, then stuff a hand towel in there tight and let it dry they’ll stretch better than if you just use those shoe stretchers.
They’re really cute shoes!
kelly
love the simple shoes, the other ones should go back if they cause you blisters! so happy we live in hawaii and live in slippers! (flip flops to you mainlanders!)
hopefully you are letting us know when this pilot airs!
Layla
Hey Kelly! Good news- the frozen bag of water in the freezer trick worked! The Rocket Dogs are SUPER comfy now that they’ve been stretched out a little! 😀
We’ll definitely keep you posted on the pilot…we leave this coming Wednesday to get the party started! 🙂
Heather
Don’t your feet get all stinky if you don’t wear socks and tennies?
Layla
Yep! That’s why I’m sportin’ little bootie socks inside those tennies! 😀
Jackie B
Layla,
I don’t know how to stretch those puppies out, but I think you certainly have style since the new Duchess of Cambridge wore her Rocket Dogs just like yours to visit the States!
Jennifer
Layla—I can see that you have a lot of comments about stretching your shoes…there is a liquid you can buy called “Ralyn Shoe Stretch” its in a little red bottle. I used it to stretch out a pair of boots once that were tight around my toes—great stuff and inexpensive! The great part about it–you put it on your shoes and then wear your shoes so they don’t just “stretch out” they stretch out where you need them to stretch out. Hope that helps!
Good luck on your pilot episode!
chelsea
My husband has a head that many hats do not fit…I will leave it at that. Occasionally finds a hat that he just has to have so he gets it a little wet, stuffs it very tightly full of newspaper and lets it sit around and dry. It would depend on what kind of material your shoes are and if you’re willing to get them wet, but I think if all you need are a few centimeters it might do the trick. I wouldn’t cut anything out if I were you 🙂
Kelly
Hi Layla — To stretch out my shoes I use those squeeze toys — people use them to squeeze in their hands to reduce stress. I guess it would be similar to a dog’s toy. I stuff them in the shoe to stretch them. However – I have finally gotten smart and buy shoes that come in a wide width now!
Also – it may take your feet a while to get used to such shoes – since you are not used to it. You could build up gradually adding an hour each day. It takes time for your feet to get used to such new changes! (I know because I have had 30 years of foot problems).
Take care! PS If you start running again – you would need different shoes yet from these. And it might take a while again to get used to them for you.
Layla
Hi Kelly!
I used frozen water and it worked like a charm, check it out!
https://theletteredcottage.net/how-to-stretch-shoes
Just wish they hadn’t turned a weird color! 😀
Jenney Bauer
I wish I was in the area to help! It sound like fun!
Not that I love to remove wall paper, but we do alot of it!!!
Have fun,
Jenney
Ronnie Gunn Tucker
Could you be going to Scotts Antique Market?!
Excited for you two! Woo! Knock ’em dead!!!
Donna
Hi, Layla,
Would love to help out with painting and seamstress stuff – look forward to the flea marketing as the reward for hard work!!!
See you then…
teresa
Why are all the pretty shoes hard on the feet? I used a ziplock bag with uncooked rice…put the ziplock back in your shoe…fill it until it’s very tight…like stuffing a pillow. If there are no metal parts on your shoe….heat them up in the micorwave with the rice inside…just for a minute. Let sit over night….it worked on my shoes…not sure if it will work on yours, but it might be worth a try. =)
Melanie
How exciting that you all are only about 30 minutes from my house! I sent an email to whitney. So hopefully I will be able to come out and help you and other bloggers that are volunteering.